Applications of Windmill Software: Real-World Data Acquisition and Control Projects



Windmill has been used in many industrial and laboratory settings.

Agricultural Science | Aquaculture and Fish | Transport | Food Science | Automotive | Remote Sensing | Education | Environmental Monitoring | Research | Other | Your Application


Research

Removing CO2 from Bio-Fuels
Researchers are removing carbon dioxide from bio-fuels, and using the Microlink data acquisition system to do so.
Measuring temperatures of exploding batteries
Logging temperatures from spontaneously combusting lithium batteries.
Re-using glass in concrete
Testing how recycling glass into concrete affects the concrete strength.
Researching the impact of CO2 storage in rock
Recording displacement from LVDTs to investigate how CO2 affects rock when stored to mitigate climate change.
Increasing storage safety after mineral extraction
Safe storage of tailings slurry demands the efficient extraction of water, or disaster awaits. Improving water recovery protects the environment, improves safety and reduces costs.
Logging moisture in manure pellets
Investigating the physical properties of fertiliser pellets for efficient storage and transport, and how they are affected by moisture, using Windmill data acquisition software.
Logging voltage in solar power generation
Windmill software verifies avoidance of voltage violations in solar power systems.
Measuring Cell Forces
Microlink 751 helps Manchester University researchers investigate cell forces.
Fires in Tunnels: Researching the spread of heat and smoke with Windmill Software
Monitoring radiant heat flux in tunnel fires - measurement and continuous data logging
Investigating the biomechanics of tendons
Researchers, for the first time, measure cell responses to repetitive loads on human tendons. The data acquisition system comprises force transducers, stepper motors with a motor controller, culture wells and a Microlink 751.

Force monitor system for investigating tendon biomechanics, tissue development and regeneration
Credit: Giannopoulos A et al CC BY 4.0

Measuring absorption of nut shells for biofuel
New materials are being used for biofuels, including nut shells. Windmill monitors the moisture absorption of different shells.
Nasal device testing
Using impaction force testing to compare several nozzle/dose chamber configurations in new nasal drug delivery system.
Investigating bio-oil fuel production
European researchers are investigating the effect of temperature on production of bio-oil from straw - an agricultural crop residue.
Measuring strain during materials compression testing
Windmill Streamer software makes high-speed strain readings during compression testing of marble.
Measuring the desiccation and cracking of soil
Researchers test a new system to investigate drying soils.
Interfacing methanol sensors in medical research
Windmill logs data from a methanol sensor during cancer research
Software reads Raven Biotech methanol sensor
Monitoring Liquid Uptake in Rock Samples
Windmill helps research into radioactivity at the Yucca mountain.
Testing marine composite materials and real-time monitoring of ship structures at sea
Ensuring composites meet demands for seaworthiness.

Transport

Automatic Passenger Counting
How to automatically count passengers on buses, trains and light rail networks.
Testing Train Brakes
Windmill cuts time to test train brakes by a third.
Monitoring Wheel Slip in Trains
A British train operating company can now quickly deal with skid conditions thanks to an Internet based system.

Agricultural Science

Measuring CO2 Concentration during Crop Efficiency Experiments
Windmill monitors and controls carbon dioxide in two experimental greenhouses, using PID control to switch solenoid valves and maintain concentration levels
Measuring Crop Productivity
Researchers use Windmill software to log data during research into the processes conditioning nitrogen-use-efficiency, in the hope of increasing crop productivity
Monitoring Nitrogen Efficiency in Crops
Investigating Wheat Yields
Measuring temperature and humidity in greenhouses.
Measuring Soil Health by Continually Monitoring CO2
New laboratory method reduces costs for reliable, continuous measurements of CO2 evolution using Windmill software, Excel and a conductivity meter.
Free Windmill Chart Program
Climate Change Research
Windmill monitors and controls environmental conditions such as CO2 concentration, temperature, humidity and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR).

Aquaculture and Fish

Monitoring Fluorescence during Mussel Farming Research
Invasive sea squirts can lose mussel farmers 63% of their crops. Scientists are using Windmill to investigate how sea squirts affect the food available to the mussels.
Mapping Particulate Matter during Aquaculture
Researcher uses Windmill when monitoring the concentration of organic matter released from salmon farms in Canada.
Salmon aquaculture releases organic particulates into the sea
Image: Norsk Havbrukssenter/CC BY-SA 2.0
Monitoring Oxygen Consumption of Fish
Windmill continually logs data from oxygen electrodes in copper-contaminated waters. Does more food mean the fish metabolise more copper?
Condition Monitoring for Fish Farming Research
The Seafish Industries Research Station is using Windmill to monitor their fish populations.
Condition Monitoring for Fish Farming Research

Food Science

Logging data during High Pressure Frying
Food scientists use Windmill to study pressure frying.
Continually measuring ripening grape weight
Windmill monitors the weight of wine grapes.
Grapes on the vine
Testing Food Processing Equipment via I2C
A manufacturer is using Windmill to test its I2C-based thermostats.

Automotive

Real-Time Fuel Consumption Monitoring
Interface a vehicle's on board diagnostics system to a laptop PC.
Diesel Engine Research
New research uses Windmill to investigate how diesel engine fuel and lubricants affect engine emissions.
Automotive Crash Testing
Windmill improves automotive crash testing procedures.

Aquatic Remote Sensing and Pollution Monitoring

Mapping Particulate Matter from Salmon Farms
Researcher uses Windmill when monitoring the concentration of organic matter released from salmon farms in Canada.
Detecting Oil Contamination
Research scientists use Windmill to find the source and extent of oil pollution.
Seabed Surveying
Marine and Estuarine Ecology Group use Windmill for seabed mapping and surveying.
Investigating Pollution from Submarine Springs
A Geological Survey team is using Windmill software for easy and accurate measurements.
Mapping Dye Dispersion
Marine scientists are monitoring the dispersion of sewage using a fluorometer, GPS and Windmill software.
Monitoring dye dispersion
Remote Sensing
Thanks to Windmill, automated sea-floor mapping has become available for anyone with access to a sonar, GPS and a laptop PC.

Education

Teaching Technology
Windmill is being used with a Parallax BASIC Stamp to create an inexpensive laboratory tool for teachers of sciences and environmental studies.
Control Technology in Education
A new education initiative is using the Windmill Software demo to help explain control technology. The Windmill Graphics simulation software was seen as essential for student's Information Technology core skills.

Environmental Monitoring

Environmental Monitoring
Companies now have a legal requirement to "clean" waste gases, and maintain records to prove emissions don't exceed current limits. Windmill Software is helping with this task.
Wind Farm Energy Monitoring
Windmill Software is currently monitoring renewable energy generation and usage at an experimental site in Leicester (UK).
Monitoring Renewable Energy
Windmill calculates photovoltaic solar panels' power output and conversion efficiency.

Other

Data logging from load cells, motion sensor and an RTK receiver
Calibrating tension meters to improve mooring safety on semi-submersible oil rigs.
Semi-submersible oil rig
Temperature Monitoring of Hospital Freezers
A London hospital is using a Windmill 751-TC system to monitor the conditions of their low temperature liquid nitrogen freezers.
Data Acquisition from Torque Meters
Send data from torque meters directly to an Access database with the free Windmill software.
Data Logging from Pilot Plant
Windmill software logs reactor temperatures, reactor jacket flowrate, reactor pressure, vapour, distillate and condenser coolant temperatures, weights, reagent flows and process analytical instrument readings.
Measuring the Flow Rate of Powder
The free Windmill LabIML software enables scientists in a Department of Pharmaceutical Technology to monitor powder "flowability".

Your Application

Do you have an example of how you have used Windmill software which you are willing to share with our readers, and perhaps save them some time? If so please fill in the details below. We will send you a copy of the article for approval before publishing it, and if you wish include a link to your website when it is published. If there are any details you would rather we didn't mention, such as company name, just let us know. Miss out any sections that you feel aren't relevant.

         
 
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